Donor Story: How a son honoured his father’s final wish with the help of Canada Gives

Our latest Donor Story highlights the challenges that an heir faced when his ailing father made a generous—yet highly ambitious—deathbed request. With a substantial estate to manage and an instruction to donate to more than two dozen charities, the son faced an uncertain giving dilemma. But with Canada Gives’ help, he was able to glean important tax benefits, honour his late father’s wishes and ensure that millions of dollars in grants would be channelled to a range of worthy causes. This article offers an overview of the benefits of proactive estate planning and the importance of tapping the right expertise to achieve a donor’s charitable goals.

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When a successful Ontario-based entrepreneur and philanthropist provided a bedside instruction in his final days to his son “Michael”, it wasn’t just a chance for the father to carry out one last act of generosity —it was a moment that would shape the next chapter of Michael’s life. Michael’s father had one final request: that a significant portion of his multi-million-dollar estate be gifted to a long list of his favourite charities upon his passing.

Michael, an entrepreneur in his own right, had always admired his father’s passion for giving back. But as he left the hospital that night, the weight of this new responsibility quickly became clear. His father’s estate included several operating companies and complex financial holdings. And now, Michael was expected to disburse an extraordinary sum—totalling nearly $20 million—across 30 different charities. The heir didn’t know where to begin. He had a business to run, and suddenly was also managing his father’s complex estate, including an enormous philanthropic obligation. To make matters worse, the donations had to be completed in a timely manner so that his father’s estate could benefit from the substantial tax savings offered by the donation tax credits.

Some of the charities his father had supported over the years were large national organizations. Others were small, community-based charities that would struggle to absorb a six- or seven-figure gift. Michael started making calls and quickly realized the challenge ahead. He knew he needed a plan. He also needed time. And he needed help.

That’s when he discovered Canada Gives and reached out to our Client Services team.

Bringing clarity to charitable giving

Michael learned through his professional advisor that Canada Gives is a registered charity that helps individuals and families simplify and amplify their philanthropy using donor advised funds (DAFs)—or as we call them, Foundation accounts. For the overwhelmed heir, it was the missing piece of the giving puzzle.

By making one large lump-sum donation to Canada Gives (a registered charity and public foundation itself), Michael achieved several goals at once: he received a full tax receipt from Canada Gives in the year of his father’s passing (a key financial consideration during estate settlement), and—perhaps most importantly—he leveraged the time and guidance he needed to make strategic, thoughtful gifts to the charities his father cared most about.

“Our Client Services team worked on Michael’s behalf to set up a series of multi-year grant commitments—each tailored to the size, scope, and mission of the recipient charity,” explains Karen Clarke, Canada Gives’ Director of Foundation and Donor Services. “Michael shared his father’s passions and values while we designed and implemented the giving plan to honour his wishes.”

Unlocking the benefits of a Donor Advised Fund

The Canada Gives team didn’t just lighten Michael’s administrative load. They brought structure, insight, continuity and expertise; all while completing the necessary legwork to fulfill his father’s wishes and truly honour this Canadian businessman and philanthropist.

“With our help, Michael knew that every dollar was going where it was needed most,” Clarke explains “Our team has existing relationships with charities and the capacity to build new ones. We also understand how to structure grants to ensure maximum impact is felt on both sides of the table.”

A lesson in proactive planning

The family’s experience underscores the benefits of setting up a Canada Gives Foundation account before a matriarch or patriarch passes. Doing so allows a philanthropist to document their intentions clearly, structure their giving during their lifetime and takes the administrative burden off their family’s shoulders.

Canada Gives offers testamentary Foundation accounts specifically for this reason: to ensure philanthropic legacies are honoured with care and clarity. With a testamentary DAF, individuals can establish a no-cost foundation account during their lifetime to receive estate assets after their passing. Charitable giving instructions can then be left with Canada Gives to administer the bequests, and these instructions can be updated anytime during their lifetime, given they reside outside of the legal documents.

Clarke says, “By naming your Canada Gives Foundation account in your will, you ensure your charitable legacy is carried out efficiently and with valuable oversight, offering more flexibility and less complexity than naming multiple charities as direct beneficiaries of your Estate.”

The Canada Gives Team

To explore how a DAF might help you build a legacy that reflects your charitable values, consider opening a Foundation account with Canada Gives. Our team is here to help guide your charitable giving with flexibility and foresight. To learn more, contact a member of our team.